Charming coffee houses in Vienna?

This link actually provides a pretty good guide to some of the coffee houses in Vienna. My personal favourite is Griensteidl, especially if I can get a window seat with a view of one of the monumental fountains that flank the entrance to the Hofburg. Despite its central location, it is still has an authentic air to it. Kleines Café is not to be missed, especially if you can get an outdoor table on Franziskaner Platz in nice weather. I love the old world ambiance of Franziskaner Platz. Central has been "renovated" to death and now looks like a gilded bird cage. It has become a tourist trap. Schwarzenberg is good. For me, Hawelka is too small and dark with the tables crowded together. However, finding the right coffee house is like finding the right pair of jeans. It is hard to say why one "fits you" and another does not. You might have to try a few to find the one you like. Advice: learn a bit about what is on a Viennese coffee menu before you go. The choices are endless and sometimes complex. If you can't make up your mind, the default coffee to be ordered is the "Melange", which is sort of a Viennese version of a cappuccino (sort of). Also good to take some reading material or –better yet--a journal to write in. Part of the experience is settling in a bit and not just dashing in and out. Have fun! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/austria/vienna/6930839/Viennas-coffee-houses-cafes-in-a-class-of-their-own.html

We were just in Vienna a couple of weeks ago and had lunch at the Cafe Central. While to some it may look like a "gilded cage" the service was impeccable and the food delicious (and reasonably priced IMO). We lived in Vienna in the early 1980's and I loved to take visitors to the Central. There are many coffee houses and cafes in Vienna but not many are located in a "palais" as is the Central.